Feature Story And Photos by Larry H. Oskin
The William A Suggs Memorial VFW POST 5277 promotes American pride, good citizenship and patriotism. They continue to participate in a national program to encourage young students to examine our nation’s history along with their own experiences in modern American society through the annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy youth essay writing competitions.
This year’s awards presentation was made by VFW Post Commander-In-Chief James Nelson, Quartermaster Robert Farrell, President of the VFW Auxiliary Sue Abbott and Scholarship chairperson Patti Brainard.
Thousands of middle and high school students across the USA enter the national VFW Scholarship Awards to win unrestricted scholarship money for college. First place winners receive a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington DC. Students are encouraged to draft an essay that expresses their personal views based upon a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-In-Chief.
Patriot’s Pen Award Winners: Students from 6th to 8th-grade levels were solicited from 19 area middle and high schools to enter this year’s contest. The PPA essay theme this year was “How Can I Be a Good American?”
This year’s Patriot’s Pen Award and $500 in scholarship checks were given out with first-place honors to Ariella Rudolph of the Imagine South Lake Charter School. Ariella Rudolph shared, “Being a good American means to care for the country or state that you live in. It is also a way you can have people view you differently if you act on trying to be a good citizen. … Participating in your nation’s political life shows you care a lot about your nation and where you live, like going to an event or rallies, identifying an issue you care about and pursuing it. You can go to your city council meetings, join a political organization, volunteer for a political campaign, run for political office, vote and do your part to elect capable civic-minded leaders that will make sure to protect your nation is something that should show everyone how to be a good American.”
Voice of Democracy Awards: Established 75 years ago in 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the VFW’s premier scholarship program for 9th to 12th-grade students. The VOD essay theme this year was “America: Where Do We Go From Here?” This VFW-sponsored essay competition gives students the opportunity to express their views on an annually updated patriotic theme.
The new South Lake area Voice of Democracy Awards were given out with first-place honors and $500 in scholarship checks to with second place honors and $300 in scholarship checks going to Emily Lininger of Quiet Rock Academy.
Clermont VFW Student Essay Honors: Moriah Langford, noted, “Thank you to the VFW for this wonderful scholarship opportunity! I love being proud of America!” Her essay shared, “Join or die was a famous saying created by Benjamin Franklin. … As a nation, we find ourselves drifting back into the disunited states as political tensions create factions between us Americans in ways we’ve never seen before. So, America where do we go from here? … America’s motives have been planted deep within the roots of this country. We put our hands over our hearts when the national anthem is played. We send fireworks rocketing into the night sky to recognize our country’s birth and freedom. We proudly fly our American flag each and every day. The men and women behind our revolutionary country shall not be forgotten!” Moriah Langford also earned 3rd place scholarship essay award honors at District Level.
Emily Lininger shared, “Imagine with me that this nation is at a crossroads. Socialist-style government is on her left and historical American freedoms are on her right. … We need to do a 180 and go back to when patriotism was taught when our freedoms and liberties were not hindered and where our morals were taught in schools. We need a revival in the hearts of the people and to allow God back into our nation. We need to put Jesus back into all the places we asked him to leave; home, school, government and our hearts. … May God bless the USA!” This was Lininger’s third and final time earning a VFW scholarship as she plans to go to Lake Sumter State College to study for a nursing degree and to get her pilot’s license.
VFW Citizenship Education Teacher Awards: With numerous entries this year from principals and sponsoring teachers, many area teachers were nominated for their educational work and extra school activities to promote patriotism and pride in America.
Becky Lee of Grassy Lakes Elementary, Jasmin Cruz of Minneola Charter School and John Plyant, Jr. of South Lake High School earned top honors. Each of these teachers are very proudly involved in helping their students learn about American pride and patriotism. Becky Lee has been teaching second graders for over 25 years. She shares, “I love teaching my students about patriotism and the joys of American life! I encourage my students with challenging tasks and resources.”
John Plyant Jr. was a Marine Corps Commander earlier in his career. He is in charge of the Navy ROTC and Honor Guard at his school. He is also a Senior Pilot Instructor.
Jasmin Cruz couldn’t personally attend, yet she will soon be presented with her prestigious award.
Four Award Levels: All Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Awards start at the local VFW Post level. These local VFW Post 5277 winners advanced to the District Level where one first-place winner will advance to the State Level. That one first-place District award winner will advance to the national competition. Winners from each state will compete for the big national scholarship awards and prizes. The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s chosen American University, college or vocational school.
2022 VFW Patriot’s Pen Competition: Visit the Florida VFW state website at: http://www.myfloridavfw.org and the national website at:www.VFW.org for more information. The next scholarship entries will start in June 2022 and will be due no later than October 31, 2022.
William Alfred Suggs Memorial VFW Post 5277: Quartermaster Robert J. Farrell reminds us, “Our annual VFW Youth Scholarship Awards program challenges our local area students to reflect on our nation’s history, their ideals and principles and their own experiences based on a patriotic theme. By working alongside America’s youth and instilling a sense of patriotism here in the South Lake area of Florida has always been and will always be a VFW priority. For more information about VFW membership, events, fundraisers and scholarships, contact Robert Farrell at 352-250-2052, 352-394-5424 or by email at: RFarr47938@aol.com. Visit the local VFW Post at the lower level of 855 West Desoto Street, Clermont, FL 34711. Visit: https://vfw5277.org.
